This year, New Year’s Eve celebrations for Southern Alberta, held in Calgary, will have an extra boost thanks to a federal contribution of $110,000 from the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canada 150 Fund. Announced by the Government of Canada last week, Calgary is one of 19 cities across the country to receive funding to help kick-off 2017, Canada’s 150 year anniversary as a nation.

On December 31, 2016 Calgarians and visitors will enjoy New Year’s Eve celebrations that promise to be even more memorable than previous years. Thanks to the Federal funding, more activities will be added inside and out, from 7 p.m. until midnight, in both official languages.

Young families won’t want to miss the glow-in-the-dark dance party at the Municipal Building complete with crafts, bouncy castle, stilt walkers, magician and a kids’ countdown at 9 p.m. Olympic Plaza will be illuminated and animated with family skating, live ice carvings, fire spinning, ice slide, and creative light-based art installations. The main stage will feature top Calgary DJs, Opera From The Rooftop and live performances from Canadian rock band 54.40 and Calgary’s own Eve Hell and the Razors. Get your photo taken at the Canada 150 sculpture and see your image on the big screen during the stage show.

Broadcast live on CTV, the evening will culminate with a fantastic countdown and fireworks display at midnight as we ring in 2017, the start of a year of celebrations for Canada’s 150th anniversary.

“On December 31, a thousand lights will fill the Canadian sky from coast to coast, setting the tone for the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Confederation,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “I invite citizens of Calgary to start planning their New Year’s Eve festivities and to join the countless other Canadians to ring in what promises to be a memorable year.”

“This partnership will make our year-long celebration of Canada an exceptional series of events starting with New Year’s Eve,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “Canada’s 150th birthday is also a great opportunity for us to consider what gifts we, as citizens, may be able to give back to our nation. I encourage everyone to do Three Things for Canada in 2017. However simple or involved those acts of service may be, they will make a profound difference in our neighbourhoods, our nation, and the world.”

Additional Canada 150 events and initiatives will be announced for Calgary leading up to and during 2017 to celebrate our country’s sesquicentennial, including Canada Day celebrations that will be the biggest and best our city has seen.